{"id":1836,"date":"2024-12-18T19:34:54","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T01:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/hr\/?page_id=1836"},"modified":"2026-04-06T15:56:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T20:56:38","slug":"supervisor-toolbox","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/hr\/supervisor-toolbox\/","title":{"rendered":"Supervisor Toolbox"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We understand that faculty and staff are facing additional pressure and stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a \u201ctoolbox\u201d of resources aimed at helping supervisors support their teams during this difficult time. These resources are specifically for supervisors looking to support the mental health and physical wellness of their teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Community Support & Impact Team is a multi-disciplinary team led by Dean of Students, Adam Jussel and includes members from HR, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. This team\u2019s goal is to assess the needs of the campus community\u2013students, faculty, and staff\u2013and partner with departments and programs to employ both proactive and reactive interventions to meet community members\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sign Up: Wellness Wednesday Email Program<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Back Issues of the Wellness Wednesday Emails may be found at the bottom of this web page.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Five Supervisor Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. Communicate Openly and Honestly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the COVID-19 crisis is an unprecedented event in modern history, the experience of managing through it is not necessarily unique. Many supervisors have been in this position before, during 9\/11 and the global financial crisis. People are scared, they are wondering, \u201cWhat does this mean for my job and my future?\u201d The role of a supervisor is to project confidence and strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a strategy for how and when you will communicate with your team as the situation evolves. Navigate your conversations with care. Consider your audience, be humble, don\u2019t sugar coat, be responsible and try to remain consistent. Your teams are comprised of people in a variety of circumstances. Your employees may be homeschooling or caring for small children while maintaining their full workload. Ask your staff if there is a convenient time for regular staff meetings, during regular naptimes or when school-aged children are on Zoom \u201cin class.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also have team members who are single and living in complete isolation during this remote work period. It is important to take these factors into account when communicating with your employees. It might be easy to assume that these employees \u201chave it easier\u201d because they are not juggling work and children, this is not necessarily the case. These employees are also going to need special attention during this time of isolation and loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourage your teams to \u201cmanage up.\u201d Many people think that managing up is only necessary in negotiating a raise or benefits. Now, more than ever, normalizing managing up is crucial. Your employees need the space to advocate for themselves and maintain a healthy relationship with their supervisor. Offer the space for your employees to present problems and solutions. As you pay attention to the mental health and wellness of your employees, let them look out for yours as well; we are truly in this situation together. There are several resources below to help staff manage up in a virtual world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Additional Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n